New Wineries And Lodging Attract Visitors To Temecula

24. Mai 2008
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Temecula, California, may have just 1/10th the number of wineries you find in Napa, but the local wine-tasting experience is earning high marks from travelers who have checked it out.

Located just off the well-traveled Interstate 15, between Temecula vineyard Riverside and San Diego, the gently rolling hills and scenic vineyards of the Temecula wineries now are becoming a destination in their own right. Not just a gimmick to boost local tourism, the wineries of Temecula make good wine – and presumably good money – turning the fruit of the Valley into wines that are satisfying even the most sophisticated palates.

New wineries are coming on board every year, according to Linda Kissam, executive director of the Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association. Big resorts are opening, too, such as the South Coast Winery’s new Resort and Spa that was estimated to cost $20 million but cost well over that. Not to worry – the resort already is on its way to paying off that investment with its 76 villas booked solid on weekends even before the resort was completely finished.

„The whole goal here,“ says Mark Zovic, South Coast’s general manager, „is for Temecula wineries to be taken seriously.“ With many more visitors every year making Temecula part of their Southern California vacation plans, it seems like the area is now being taken plenty seriously.

Zovic compares Temecula wineries to the Napa Valley of 20 years ago when its tourism infrastructure was catching up with the growing popularity of the region. But one of the local winemakers pointed out there is a big difference – many of Temecula’s wines are already considered competitive with Napa and certainly not 20 years behind in the attainment of overall quality.

One vintner who feels pretty good about the quality of his Palumbowines is Nick Palumbo, a 38-year-old grape grower who just two years ago opened his own winery, Palumbo Family Vineyards and Winery. Picture a 20-year-old rambler farmhouse set on 12 acres of vineyards and you see that the emphasis in this business is on family. The oak barrels containing the 1,500 cases of wine he produces each year are piled high in what was once Palumbo’s three-car garage.

Palumbo grows the grapes and „drives the tractor every day“ up and down his vineyard rows to make sure the four varieties of grapes he is using will be the quality needed for his special wines. He’s an example of what you‘ll find elsewhere in Temecula – a vintner who is willing to stand there a few minutes and tell you how it’s done. That’s another difference from Napa, the locals say: almost all of the Temecula wineries are family-owned.

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The Caribbean Island Of Isla Margarita – Paradise Found

24. Mai 2008
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When one thinks of an island paradise lapped by the clear cerulean waters of the Caribbean Ocean, one often pictures a destination where the people wear welcoming smiles, where the landscape is lush and verdant, the beaches white and pristine and the weather perfect all year round. But does such a paradise really exist in the Caribbean or even elsewhere in the world?

The answer to this question is a resounding ‚YES‘ – picture all of the above and chances are you‘re picturing Isla Margarita!

Isla Margarita is a lesser-known island in the Caribbean; it is the embodiment of an island paradise, lying off the north eastern coast of Venezuela and located well outside the hurricane zone. For years Isla Margarita, the largest island of the Nueva Esparta state in Venezuela, was a secret vacation hot spot for Venezuelans; big business tourism never reached the island in the 1960s and 70s when beachfronts across the Caribbean were bought up and developed upon and that is why what you find in Isla Margarita today is a perfectly intact Caribbean island paradise – in fact, as the title of this article suggests, Isla Margarita really is paradise found, it is heaven on earth!

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How To Afford A Profitable Investment Property In The Caribbean

24. Mai 2008
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The idea of having a second home in the Caribbean or an investment property on a Caribbean island is a fantasy for many of us – or a pipedream at best! This is because the Caribbean is notoriously expensive and a haunt for the super rich and mega famous. It’s home to some sumptuous homes which can generate strong rental yields and enjoy attractive capital appreciation, and this only fuels our hunger for real estate in this part of the world.

So what if I were to tell you that a lesser-known Caribbean destination is rapidly emerging as the new kid on the block? It is as attractive as you can imagine and yet as affordable as the Caribbean was decades ago – before rapidly inflated real estate prices made the likes of Saint Lucia and the Bahamas so far out of our reach. Would you be excited?

I thought as much…

The destination in question is called Isla Margarita and it lies off the coast of Venezuela … it is truly stunning, easily accessible, it is well outside the hurricane zone and it boasts property prices that are honestly affordable – making it the perfect destination in which you can afford to buy your very own profitable investment property in the Caribbean.

If you‘ve never heard of Isla Margarita be assured that you soon will have, because together with Venezuela it’s a part of the world ploughing heavy investment into self-promotion and it is on target for double-digit percentage growth figures in tourism according to the World Travel and Tourism Council. Isla Margarita is being touted as the next big thing in the British and American press too.

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Luxury Travel To Island Spas

24. Mai 2008
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The spa experience has continued to gain in popularity for upscale travelers seeking the ultimate in pampering and rejuvenation as an escape from the hectic pace and stresses of today’s fast-paced lifestyle. Spas of all types and holistic philosophies abound as a means of countering the stress. Cruise travelers book luxury onboard spa treatments along with cruise tickets well in advance of departure. A vast assortment of mainland spa resorts located at the most scenic or serene spots on every continent offer the best in herbal and oriental treatments. But savvy travelers know that it’s possible to combine the best perks of an ocean cruise spa and a spa resort by locating a five-star luxury spa located on one of the many fantastic warm islands scattered across the globe.

An island adventure can bring a visitor to the same ports of call as the cruise ship, with all the beauty and serenity of azure ocean water and waves lapping on the beach. The same classic and traditional treatments known to the ancient philosophers can be found by seeking out the right luxury island spa. Conversely, trendy spas located on an island will provide the latest in fashionable regimens. It’s easy to find the ultimate spa experience and combine it with a trip to a romantic island locale.

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Luxury Island Holidays For Independent Travelers

24. Mai 2008
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Experienced, savvy travelers seek out the best travel destinations the world has to offer, scouting for the ultimate combination of luxury accommodations, fine dining opportunities, and impeccable service, while at the same time enjoying unique local scenic splendor and culture. Luxury island holidays provide the perfect recipe for vacation success because each developed island of the globe, no matter its size, offers a unique view of the world. Resort owners of island properties typically cater to a specific group of travelers and offer a wide range of activities from, for example, an eco-friendly perspective where the resort blends seamlessly into the landscape to a bold high-rise hotel bustling with nightlife, and everything in between.

Two groups of islands are among the best luxury travel destinations in the world that appeal to upscale independent travelers: the islands of the South Pacific and the islands off the east coast of Africa. The Polynesian Islands of the South Pacific include exotic Tahiti, Bora Bora, and Morea, each boasting a host of fine resorts, many taking advantage of the pristine sand beaches and clear azure waters that are part of the South Pacific legend. Visitors to these exotic islands can select from a host of superior resorts that offer all the amenities imaginable on islands of every size. For the ultimate in privacy and tranquility, consider a resort that is located on a small private island.
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The Wildlife of Seahouses and the Farne Islands

20. Mai 2008
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Looking for a quaint seaside spot in the United Kingdom for a getaway? Head up to Northumberland, England, where you’ll find two places that won’t disappoint: Seahouses and the nearby Farne Islands. Seahouses boasts a picturesque harbor, seaside cafes, old-time arcades, and plenty of charming hotels and B&Bs. Its working fishing port yields boats taking tourists to the Farne Islands for birdwatching and other wildlife viewing, scuba diving, and general sightseeing. With 15-20 islands depending on the tide, the Farnes offer plenty to see. There’s even a friendly seal colony that hangs out here that have been known to interact with divers.

Realtraveler Kerry Taylor saw these seals on her recent trip to Seahouses and the Farnes:

“It really does seem to be a lovely day and the boat trip is excellent. We are all pack on board and head off towards Staple Island, pausing on route to visit some of the Farne Islands other famous residents – the grey seals. As we approach a set of rocks that are slowly being reveled by the tide, we suddenly notice heads popping up out of the water. It’s hard to tell who’s watching who as seals are extremely curious creatures. As we get closer to the rocks we realise that they are covered with seals lounging in the sun. Everyone goes mad trying to get the perfect photograph and my binoculars are in high demand from my friends.

Eventually, and somewhat reluctantly, we leave and head on towards the Island. The first thing you notice are the enormous number of seabirds covering the low rocky island. The second thing you notice are the human visitors. Our boat contains about 50 people and there must be five or six similar vessels around us. Quite what the bird think about having their home invaded by these strange visitors every morning is a mystery.”

It’s easy to see why the Farnes Islands are so popular with bird enthusiasts:

“The real magic comes from being so close to completely wild birds. They simply don’t have any fear of people, so you can get within a few feet of them. There are some restrictions as to where you can go and certain areas are roped off so that you don’t disturb the wildlife too much. It’s a really wonderful experience to see all these birds at such close quarters and everyone has a huge smile on their faces.

This trip follows the same routine as this morning, but the birds on Inner Farne are very different. Here the Arctic Terns are the stars, or divas might be more appropriate. They nest wherever they want on the island, including right next to the footpaths…”

Later in the day, back at Seahouses, Kerry took advantage of the last few hours of sunlight to observe some more local birds:

“As the others are unlikely to be back for a while, I make the most of an unexpected birdwatching opportunity. The tide is out and the small harbour in front of me is covered in tiny wading birds. Ringed plovers, dunlin and turnstones are all scuttling about in the harbour mud looking for food.”